Dr.JosephDe Pierro

De PIERRO Dr. Joseph, Seton Hall University Prominent Educator, Longtime Nutley Resident, passed peacefully on September 17, 2012. A Memorial visitation will be held at Biondi Funeral Home of Nutley, 540 Franklin Avenue, on Thursday evening, September 20, from 4-8 PM. A Memorial Mass, commemorating Dr. De Pierro's life, will be held at the Immaculate Conception Chapel at Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ on Wednesday, September 26 at 3:30 PM. For directions or to send online condolences, please visit our website at www.biondifuneralhome.com. Dr. De Pierro, Dean Emeritus of the College of Education and Human Services, Seton Hall University leaves behind his wife, Dr. Mary Lynn De Pierro; his daughter Catherine Woelfle and her husband Christopher; his granddaughter, Catelyn Woelfle of Long Valley; beloved friend, Aniko De Pierro and his two stepchildren, Katherine Watts of Nutley and her fiancé Daniel Marra, and Andrew Watts of San Diego; his sister Linda Lenihan of Ledyard, Connecticut and her husband Paul; his niece Jessica Drummond and her husband Scott and their four children; his sister Susan MacCombie and her husband Bill of Hillsborough, NJ and his niece Sarah MacCombie; his In-Laws Patricia and Paolo Benvenuti of Nutley, Toby and Mark Gilhool of Lacey Township and Ruth and Paul Gilhool of Ballynacally, Ireland; and nieces, nephews, extended family, countless friends and colleagues. Dr. De Pierro has dedicated his life to improving the field of Education and has been an important voice for educators in New Jersey regarding teacher professionalism and school improvement. Dr. De Pierro has been a faculty member at Seton Hall University for 42 years and teaching was his ultimate joy. He is a recipient of the McQuaid Medal of Honor. One of his greatest passions was teaching and working for the Equal Opportunity Program at SHU. Dr. De Pierro has been a proud member of Nutley UNICO and participated on the scholarship committee. He delighted in gardening, spending time with his family and friends, making wine, traveling, and assisting schools devastated by Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana. Dr. De Pierro marveled at the history and cultural richness of New Orleans. He now joins his faithful canine companion, Oreo, and often stated, "If there are no dogs in heaven, I want to go where they are!" In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dr. DePierro's honor to the teaching scholarships at Seton Hall University, awarded to students showing academic, financial need and a passion for the profession. Please send checks written out to SHU to Ms. Marianne Greeley, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ 07079. Earmark the check in Honor of J. De Pierro. Additionally, donations may be made to The Nutley UNICO Scholarship fund P.O. Box 43 Nutley New Jersey or to Xavier University of Louisiana, Division of Education, 1 Drexel Drive, New Orleans, Louisiana 70125.